George Osborne vows to open the chequebooks for Ukraine

CHANCELLOR George Osborne says Britain should be ready with its cheque book to help Ukraine.

George Osborne (inset) has pledged to help the Ukraine financially [GETTY/PA]

As he joined US and European leaders in pledging financial support, he said: “We are here ready to help just as soon as there is someone at the end of the telephone.”

He said Britain would “send a very strong message” that there would be financial support for Ukraine through the IMF and the EU.

“We should be there with a chequebook to help the people of Ukraine rebuild their country,” he added.

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary William Hague warned Russia not to send tanks into Ukraine as it prepared to form an interim government.

He led calls for the divided country to be left to determine its own future after President Viktor Yanukovych was deposed on Saturday. MPs want to hold fresh elections in May. Until then speaker Oleksander Turchynov was named as interim president.

At least 77 people were killed in violent clashes between riot police and protesters in Kiev last week and hundreds more were wounded. Mr Yanukovych’s whereabouts is unknown.

Opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko on Saturday night [EPA]

Meanwhile, former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko was released from prison on Saturday and paid tribute to protesters who had lost their lives.

Addressing the crowds in Kiev’s Independence Square from her wheelchair, she said “heroes don’t die, they are always with us and they always will be our inspiration.

“Until you finish this job ... nobody has the right to leave. Because nobody could do it – not other countries, nobody – could do what you have done. We’ve eliminated this cancer.”

Mr Hague said: “The political situation even among the opposition is very complex. It’s been a divided country. It’s urgent they get on to form an inclusive government, a government of national unity in effect.”

Mr Hague, who also revealed that David Cameron had spoken to Russian president Vladimir Putin last week, said it would not be in Russia’s interests to intervene in the Ukraine.

He told BBC1’s Andrew Marr Show: “It’s very important for us to try to persuade Russia that this need not be a zero sum game.